Amphibious modular pumps

ABSTRACT

“Modular Amphibious Pumps.” The objective of this invention is to provide a modular pump ( 1 ) that can be installed in a series, that has a special volute ( 11 ) and impeller ( 12 ), and that can allow the entry of larger particles without damaging the system.

The current patent request is for a modular pump with greater particleintake capacity, with a variety of possible uses, but used mostspecifically in irrigation systems, basic sanitation, and for pumpingindustrial fluids.

The underwater pumps currently used in fluid pumping systems presentnumerous maintenance issues, because they don't allow the passage oflong fibers. The pumps are installed in holding tanks at each level,according to need. Due to the constant elevations that exist in thetubing path, it is necessary to build several holding tanks and installthese pumps to supply an entire area, whether it's an industrial area ora city's entire basic sanitation network.

Residue that was discarded into the tubing, such as diapers, sanitarynapkins, condoms, and hair, can often be found stored in these holdingtanks. Due to the fiber size of these particles, the pump opening isfrequently blocked, causing it to no longer pump effectively. Also, dueto the type of particles found in these collection boxes, bad smells andthe production of methane gas can occur. This gas not only produces anunpleasant sensation, but can also cause explosions if the methane comesinto contact with anything ignescent.

To resolve some of the problems mentioned above, the ABS and FLYGTcompanies developed and made pumps that operate in holding tanks. Thesepumps operate in a vertical position and have a special impeller withtwo larger outlets that allow the entry of larger particles. However,due to the way they are built; these particles normally get stuck in thevolute and end up blocking the passage of fluid and thus blocking fluidentry into the volute. Also, the pumps made by these previouslymentioned companies are pumps with dry electric motors that areprotected by a mechanical seal system. This type of construction can'tfunction with elevated pressure levels, because the liquid pressurewould burst the seal, allowing water to enter the motor, damaging theelectric coil (burning the motor) and the bearings, causing the pump tostop.

The maintenance for this equipment is also difficult. Their size andweight and the difficult access of their locations, considering they areinside underwater holding tanks, makes their handling an expensive, slowand risky technical job.

Less powerful pumps placed in the same previously mentioned conditionswould not perform the task, because they would lack the power needed totransport the fluids to the necessary heights and distances, and neitheris their construction appropriate for this desired use.

As an attempt at solving the technical problems that remain, the requestfor patent PI 0103598-3 proposes a pump and a pumping system that can beburied under the surface without the need for holding tanks and that canbe activated in a series, or in other words, one pump can be attached toanother in a series directly in the tubing system. However, in this setup the design of the volute does not allow larger volume particles toenter so, depending on where the pump is being used, constantmaintenance is required.

The objective of this invention is to supply a modular pump (1) that canbe installed in a series and has a special volute and impeller, capableof allowing large particles to enter without damaging the system.

To achieve the aforementioned objective the modular pump (1) proposedhere is made up of an opening where there is a volute (11) and aimpeller (12) that are followed by an motor shaft (15) of the motor(14), and a centrifuge (13) connected to the motor shaft (15).

The invention, as well as its purposes and advantages, can be betterunderstood with the reference and description of the preferredconfigurations that are included with the attached illustrations where:

FIG. 1 represents a frontal cut section view of one configuration of themodular pump (1), where we can observe the location of the impeller (12)of the centrifuge (13), and the motor (14).

FIG. 2 represents a detailed view of the centrifuge (13) where we canobserve the orifices. (131).

FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of the impeller (12) where we canobserve the location of both exits (122) and both tabs (123);

FIG. 4 represents an overhead view of the impeller (12) where we canobserve the location of the tabs (123);

FIG. 5 represents a perspective view of another configuration of themodular pump (1) in a vertical direction;

FIG. 6 represents a frontal cut section view of another configuration ofthe modular pump (1), where we can observe the location of the impeller(12) and of the centrifuge (13) in a vertical direction.

This modular pump (1) has a volute (11) and a impeller (12) with adesign shape with rounded edges, which allows for larger particle suchas diapers, sanitary napkins, or any other long fiber to pass throughthe impeller (12), while in use, without getting stuck.

The impeller (12) has a fluid entrance attached to the pump entrancethrough the volute (11), and in its perimeter has two exits (122).Observing the impeller in isolation, we notice that between the exitsare two tabs (123). Due to the tabs (123) the centrifugal force thatarises during the movement of the impeller (12) does not allow a layerof fluid to develop. This fluid normally contains particles that wouldbe abrasive to the body of the impeller (12).

As the fluid that passes by the impeller normally has a certain quantityof sand, there is a centrifuge (13) attached to the motor shaft (15),along the continuation of the impeller (12).

The centrifuge (13), with the help of centrifugal force, expels the sandin the fluid out the orifices present along the body of the centrifuge.This keeps the pump from getting worn down all the way to the pump wearout rings.

In the main configuration of this modular pump (1) the pump workshorizontally, this way the fluid enters radially in relation to thepump. Under this configuration, the motor of the pump was relocated andrather than being in the center of the pump it is above the center ofthe pump (1), so that the fluid and the particles with long fibers passfreely, directly below the motor (14).

The modular pump (1) is mounted in connection with the tubing, with nospecial construction necessary such as holding tanks, even though themodular pumps (1) may be mounted in a series if necessary.

In a second configuration of this modular pump (1) we have a pump thatfunctions vertically. In this case, the fluid enters the pump in thevertical position, but it does not cross the pump. In this case, it isnot necessary to relocate the motor (14) because the fluid exits from aside opening.

It should be obvious to those who are familiar with pump technique thatthis invention can be configured in several other specific ways withoutceasing to be in accordance with the spirit and scope of the invention.Specifically, one should understand that the invention may be configuredin the ways previously described as long as the presented purposeremains the same.

Therefore, the examples and configurations listed here should beconsidered illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is notlimited to the details included in this document, but may be modifiedwithin the scope and equivalency of the attached claims.

1. A modular pump for pumping fluids and suspended solids where the pumpcomprises a chamber having a center and containing a wet motor having amotor shaft and comprising a volute (11) and a impeller (12) with oneentrance and at least two exits (122) and two tabs (123) with roundededges.
 2. A modular pump according to claim 1, additionally comprising acentrifuge (13) having a body with orifices (131) along the body andstationary to the motor shaft.
 3. A modular pump according to claim 1,where said motor is displaced away from the center.
 4. A modular pumpaccording to claim 1, where the exits (122) are located transversely tothe motor shaft, forcing a centrifugal movement on the fluid.